U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for North Macedonia

The U.S. Speaker and Specialist Program for North Macedonia is sponsored by the Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Embassy in Skopje and has been implemented by Meridian International Center since 2017. The program was designed to connect U.S. experts with Macedonian audiences and institutions; to promote an understanding of U.S. strategic priorities, policies and institutions; and to build linkages between experts and institutions in the United States and North Macedonia. The program sends American experts to North Macedonia on individual trips designed to provide opportunities for engagement with local audiences through lectures, workshops, and seminars; through appearances in foreign media; and in a consultancy capacity.

Over the past three years, Meridian has sent over 10 American experts to North Macedonia to address a variety of relevant topics including: air pollution policy, strategic planning and policy implementation; the importance of entrepreneurship to economic growth; nepotism and conflicts of interest in the public sector; judicial transparency and free press; messaging against disinformation; open government; and critical writing, among others.